I've got a 3 year old astra 1.6, only done 22K. Engine light has just come on (steady). The handbook says could be an emmission problem. The oil looks a bit grubby and it is due a service, been used on short runs mostly. Has anyone any advise.

Thanks Read more

Auto Express had releases a few comments about their Driver Power 2006 survey (lots in the magazine I'm sure)

www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/65609/driver_power_2006...l

Just a few things that most of us already know (and some of us act on when selecting a car):

11 of the 12 most reliable cars are Japanese

nine of the 11 models suffering from the most mechanical breakdowns are from French and Italian marques, most unreliable is the Peugeot 307.

Lexus is best manufacturer but Honda has 3 out of the 4 most reliable models.

Skoda has done well and Kia has a model in the top 10. Read more

We have a 2000 Clio MTV 1.2 Petrol which failed the MOT emissions test 2 years ago (this is in N.Ireland). Mechanic says the carburettor needs replaced (do cars still have carburettors?)

In the interim, for the retest and test last year we put a bottle of CatClean into the petrol tank and took it for a hard, high-rev drive immediately before the test. It passed the emissions on both occasions, although it took 3-4 minutes at high revs for the readings to come into line.

Any thoughts on what could be wrong? Carburettor (if there is one), Lambda, Cat?

Cheers,

Greg. Read more

This is a transcript of the Budget relating to cars.

While half of carbon emissions come from buildings, a quarter come from vehicles.

So today I want to do more to encourage cleaner fuels and cars. I propose to radically reform vehicle excise duty.

I am introducing, to take effect tomorrow, a zero rate for a small number of cars with the very lowest carbon emissions which will pay no duty at all; and instead of £75 for cars with low emissions, significantly lower rates of £40.

Duty rates from today will be zero, £40, and then £100, 125, 150, 190 up to a new band of £210 for the small number of new cars that are the most polluting, 1pc of all cars - this will help pay for 5 million more fuel efficient cars to have their duty cut.

As a result of our decisions, and at an eventual cost of £10 million a year to the exchequer, the duty paid on 50pc of cars will be frozen or reduced from tomorrow.

Instead of just 300,000 motorists paying £100a year or less, 3 million will now pay £100 or less.

To further reduce carbon emissions, 5pc of fuel will be made from bio-fuels by 2010. And I can announce new support and incentives that will, with the 20p duty differential, by 2008, be worth up to a 35p per litre.

It is our policy that each year fuel duties should rise at least in line with inflation, as we seek to meet our targets for reducing emissions and to fund our public services. But for the fourth successive Budget, because of high and volatile prices in the oil market, i propose to defer the usual inflation increase until September 1st.

I will maintain the duty differential for rebated oils.


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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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Does anyone know if the new computerised MOT that has been introduced (along with the price increase) means that owners will get a reminder when their MOT is near expiry?

If not, it seems daft that with all the details of the car and owner now logged this should not be done. I forgot to renew my MOT for about 10 days due to simple human error, but in the eyes of plod I'm a criminal.

I know this would incur a cost, but the billions of £s in duty could go someway towards that. Read more